It was supposed to be an easy win. The Red Sox were facing a team that had not won in over a week—what could possibly go wrong? Well, just about everything. The Red Sox got smacked 11-1 by the White Sox. But fans were not just mad about the score. Jarren Duran’s absence from the team raised eyebrows, specifically, with a flat and shaky outfield.

With the season still hanging in the balance, this was a gut punch, and now, fans are not just questioning the loss—they are questioning the decisions, too.

The Red Sox trotted out a team that raised eyebrows before the first pitch. Missing from the action? Jarren Duran — the team’s spark plug, swinging elite bats all season. No injury update yet, no real explanation. Just… benched. In a must-win play against a team with the worst record in MLB, the move did not just miss — it backfired. Felt more like a surrender than a strategy.

When your team is staying afloat at .500, every game matters. In addition, when the rest of your team is in a spring training experiment, sitting your most productive outfielder does not just feel risky — it feels reckless. Tyler Milliken announced, “Today’s lineup for Red Sox @ White Sox,” before dropping a list of stars that looks like a waiver-wire wishlist. Romy Gonzalez leading off and Campbell at second? With Devers as DH and no Duran in the team, the lineup became a head-scratcher. That confusion spilled over as the game unfolded. The Red Sox committed two errors and managed just four hits. Then the team gave up five runs in the eighth alone. A collapse

Duran’s absence hurt more because this isn’t just some hot streak being wasted — it’s the benching of the guy who carried the Red Sox last season. In 2024, he became an All-Star, led the team in nearly every offensive category, and even walked away with All-Star Game MVP honors. That season, he played 160 games and led the club in runs, hits, extra-base hits, and stolen bases — basically, the engine of the offense.

And sure, his 2025 bat hasn’t been as loud — he’s hitting just .231 with a .630 OPS — but the Red Sox still don’t have anyone else who brings that mix of speed, contact, and defense. Benching him with no warning in a must-win matchup? That wasn’t just surprising — it looked like managerial malpractice.

Specifically, when a star like, Duran is nowhere to be seen, it’s not just a scratch — it feels like surrender. It is one thing to lose, but going down without your best weapons? That’s plain and simple tragic.

As the Red Sox struggle to identify their rhythm without their elite talent, fans are beginning to voice their frustrations and react to the team’s current struggles.

Fans react to Duran’s absence and the Red Sox struggles

As the absence continues to raise concerns, fans are vocal about their frustrations.

One fan reacted simply yet in a poignant way: “Is Duran ok?” This echoed throughout the fanbase, specifically, after his heartfelt revelation about the 2022 incident. Despite the star’s personal issues, Duran highlighted that his journey was not related to unburdening himself. It was related to supporting others who could be facing similar battles. Fans are understandably concerned. And everything says that the link between Duran’s openness and his effect on the team can not be ignored.

Another fan shared their frustration with “I am sorry, we need Roman.” This reaction probably stemmed from a deep sense of the team’s lack of vital stars in intricate spots. Chaim Bloom has made it clear that before promoting Roman Anthony, the team needs to see how he fares in multiple situations and matchups and how he manages against left-handed pitchers. Providing younger stars, like Anthony, a chance to prove themselves is probably part of the team’s long-term approach. However, fans, eager for quick success, are beginning to feel the pinch of such decisions.

On a similar note, another fan asked, “Why the hell is Romy playing 1st base, man?” The reaction highlights how lineup decisions are becoming a point of contention among fans. As the team continues to manage its roster, fans are questioning whether such moves are the right ones. The team’s inconsistency, specifically in vital places, like first base, has left fans wondering if there are better options available.

Then there was one remark: “They will probably win but this lineup makes it hard to take this team seriously.” Such a reaction highlights the continuous skepticism surrounding Boston’s lineup. Fans are quick to point out that while a trophy could come, the team’s decision-making in terms of lineup construction is tough to clarify at times. With 19 errors in 2025, they now have their worst total as a team through 15 games since the 1996 season, when it was 21. Such data came from the team’s PR on Friday night, with a hat tip to Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald. In addition, it was also the Red Sox’s first five-error game since 2021, against the Rangers.

Another specifically scathing review from one fan read, “Two throwing errors incoming. Romy can not play first. JC I am sick of these lineup changes, if they are your guys, play them.” The Red Sox nation is clearly getting impatient. They need to see consistency and trust in the stars. The constant shuffling of the lineup—specifically at first base—has raised eyebrows among fans. Many are beginning to question whether the team genuinely trusts the stars on the field or if it’s simply testing out distinctive combinations out of uncertainty.

Well, the Red Sox have been particularly bad at driving in runs when runners are in scoring position. They have been struck out several times in such situations and are hitting below .250 with RISP.

The frustration among fans is palpable. As the Red Sox continue to navigate through lineup transformation and challenges, it is clear that the absence of vital stars, like Duran, is not just a team issue but a deeply personal one for the fans.